https://twitter.com/PippaCrerar/status/1265980812815671296
Boris Johnson’s string puller Dominic Cummings DID break lockdown rules when making a 50-mile journey to Barnard Castle, a Durham Police investigation has concluded.
The Prime Minister’s most senior aide claimed he made the trip on Easter Sunday, with his wife and four-year-old son, to check he was fit to drive after suffering coronavirus-related eyesight problems.
Mr Cummings insisted he had acted “lawfully and reasonably” at all times when he made the 260-mile journey from London to Durham to self-isolate at his parents’ farm at the end of March.
But Durham Police has concluded he did commit a “minor breach” of the guidelines when he drove to Barnard Castle on April 12.
Boris Johnson still backs Cummings despite the confirmed breach of lockdown rules
”The police have made clear they are taking no action against Mr Cummings over his self-isolation and that going to Durham did not breach the regulations. The prime minister has said he believes Mr Cummings behaved reasonably and legally given all the circumstances and he regards this issue as closed.” A Downing street statement read.
However Conservative MPs have broken ranks to criticise PM’s chief of staff, with 44 calling for him to quit or be sacked
The 44 Tory MPs who have said Cummings should resign or be sacked:
George Freeman Mid Norfolk
Douglas Ross Moray
Harriett Baldwin West Worcestershire
Roger Gale North Thanet
Martin Vickers Cleethorpes
Peter Bone Wellingborough
Robert Goodwill Scarborough and Whitby
Paul Maynard Blackpool North and Cleveleys
Mark Pawsey Rugby
Robert Syms Poole
Tim Loughton East Worthing and Shoreham
Jason McCartney Colne Valley
Peter Aldous Waveney
John Stevenson Carlisle
Caroline Nokes Romsey and Southampton North
Damian Collins Folkestone and Hythe
Philip Davies Shipley
Julian Sturdy York Outer
Alec Shelbrooke Elmet and Rothwell
Mark Harper Forest of Dean
Stephen Hammond Wimbledon
Simon Hoare North Dorset
Simon Jupp East Devon
David Warburton Somerton and Frome
Jeremy Wright Kenilworth and Southam
Mark Garnier Wyre Forest
Andrew Percy Brigg and Goole
Elliot Colburn Carshalton and Wallington
Jackie Doyle Price Thurrock
Bob Neill Bromley and Chislehurst
Laurence Robertson Tewkesbury
James Gray North Wiltshire
Craig Whittaker Calder Valley
Robert Largan High Peak
Andrew Selous South West Bedfordshire
Duncan Baker North Norfolk
Bob Stewart Beckenham
Andrew Jones Harrogate and Knaresborough
David Simmonds Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Giles Watling Clacton
Pauline Latham Mid Derbyshire
Henry Smith Crawley
Stephen Metcalfe South Basildon and East Thurrock
Royston Smith Southampton Itchen
